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New Academic Year - Historic Times

by Dr. C. Brid Nicholson


This new academic year 2021-2022 is one like no other.


We are back on campus finally. We are back in our new building in the Liberty Hall Academic Center. We are back in the classroom: face to face for the first time since March 2020. We had barely moved in, when we moved out.


Yet while we have returned, things are not quite the same.


So much has happened since we all last gathered in person. So many world events: so many changes, so many losses, so much that needs to be explained.


Though we are historians, we study change, and we research causes of change, we discuss the consequences of change, yet much of what we are living through is deeply personal, very frightening, and uncomfortable.


We have lost family members, and friends.


Jannette Belan, our vibrant, fun, oh so competent former Graduate Assistant died as a result of complications from Covid on April 21, 2021. May her name, and the name of so many more never be forgotten. May her memory, and the memory of too many others be a blessing.


But while the doors of the University were closed, our virtual halls of learning were wide open, and we all learned how to do things differently. Our teaching and learning continued, and now as we are back in person, we will continue to expand our knowledge, increase our learning, and education.


Things have changed also within our Department, College, and University.


Dr. Elizabeth Hyde, is now the acting-Associate Dean of the College of Liberal Arts.


Kean now has a new Provost, and we welcome Dr. David Birdsell to Kean. His B.A. was in History, so we look forward to showing him around LHAC, and meeting with the Department.


After all, once a historian, always a historian.


And while Dr. Lamont Repollet, has been President of our University for over a year now, we want him to know that we look forward to working even more closely with him, as he moves Kean forward. We are excited about his plans for Kean. We are thrilled that Kean is working towards R2 status.


I have taken over the role as Chair from Dr. Hyde. I am grateful to my colleagues for their trust in me. I am truly humbled by their support.


Dr. Frank Argote-Freyre is now the Assistant Chair of the Department, and I know that you join with me in thanking him for taking on this role.


Dr. Nicole Schroeder has joined our Department. We are very excited by her hire as she is part of the first class of Equity in Action Presidential Postdoctoral Fellows.


Sadly, the most important member of the History Department team decided to retire: Mrs Mary Woubneh. Mary, as you all know, ran the department. She knew how to do everything. She knew everyone. We miss her terribly but we wish her every happiness as she can now spend more time with her family, particularly her grandchildren, and her garden.


The History Department is excited to share with you some of our plans for this year.


Our Community Forum series will be beginning again soon. Along with our expert faculty, in History, our colleagues in Political Science, and elsewhere on campus, we are looking forward to continuing our conversations on national and international events.


We have paid research opportunities available for students. Some of these will involve actual historical research, while other positions will involve helping in the creation and implementation of databases and apps. Watch out for that email soon.


The Department is beginning the process of hiring two new members for our Department: one person will be appointment to Kean Ocean, while the other will be teaching Africa and Middle East History initially at the Union Campus


Longer term we are beginning the process of introducing a 5 year BA/MA History degree option. This will take some time, but such a program at both Union and Ocean Campuses has been asked about for a long time, and we feel it is time to move on this.


We will keep you informed of all that is happening. We also look forward to seeing you at a variety of events this semester!


Most important of all, stay safe and well,


C. Brid Nicholson


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